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by pcr0 3747 days ago
I hope you didn't just take taxis around all day. Public transport, especially the trains in Hong Kong are day and night compared to most other countries in terms of pricing, speed and reliability.

6000USD/Month for 600sqft is ridiculous, even by HK standards. It's probably a 5-star serviced apartment, i.e. long-stay hotel.

Paying 200 to drive across the border is a rip-off though. There are trains and buses that take you right across for less than $20, in the same amount of time.
2 comments
ddeck 3746 days ago
>Paying 200 to drive across the border is a rip-off though

Agreed. For anyone planning a similar trip, the train to the border at Lok Ma Chau costs less than US$5 and you can then just walk through immigration. Taxis and the Shenzhen subway are right on the other side.

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robryan 3746 days ago
You can also get a 5 day Shenzhen only visa at the border for a lot cheaper than the regular Chinese visa. (Although only from the Lo Wu crossing).
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ddeck 3746 days ago
Be aware that U.S. and French citizens are NOT permitted to apply for the 5-day Shenzhen port visa. [1]

It's also not guaranteed for other citizens so probably best to get a regular China visa rather than risk being turned back at the border.

[1] http://www.travelchina.gov.cn/art/2015/1/30/art_15_45566.htm...

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eitally 3746 days ago
Regarding border crossing ... if you haven't crossed into China before, it's quite possibly worth taking a full-service car that has driving privileges on both sides of the border. For a first timer who might not have much international travel experience, disembarking on the HK side, going through customs & immigration unaccompanied, then finding the right transport on the other side and being able to communicate destination, can be daunting. After you've done it once, no problem, but the first time is anxiety inducing. Also, the lines. If you pick the wrong time and you hit the border with tens of buses in line, you're going to have a bad time.
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culturestate 3746 days ago
Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau are fairly straightforward; it's really hard to screw up. I'd wager that taking the train to Lo Wu would have been easier for them, actually, because their contact could just meet them in the (relatively) small at-grade Luohu exit that everyone is forced to funnel through.
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